Suspension means for picture frames



Nov. 14, 1939.. E. N. KELLOGG SUSPENSION MEANS FOR PICTURE FRAMES FiledJune 5, 1937' INVENTOR.

m xfm M I M Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED-sures }A ENT OFFICE 2,180,2 1.SUSPENSION MEAN S. FOR PICTURE FRAIVIES Edward N. Kellogg Detroit, Mich.

Application June 5; 193-7;"Serial N146Q602 H l 1 Olaim. (aegis-29 Thisinvention relates to suspension means for picture frames and hasparticularly to do with means for hanging and maintaining picture framesin a true straight position.

Ordinary methods of picture or mirror hanging which comprise hanging thepicture wire over a nail in the wall result in the picture becomingaskew when it is accidentally jostled as by brushing against it or industing or cleaning the picture or the wall covered by the picture. Theobject or" the present invention is to provide a means for suspending apicture or mirror so that it may always be readily placed in trueposition and such that it may be dusted or cleaned without disturbingits true position. v

The invention is especially useful in art galleries where it isnecessary that the picture be hung closely together and where it isespecially desirabie that none of them b aslant. Also in those areaswhich are frequently subject to earthquakes, the invention is desirablefor picture hanging. Other uses for the invention are in hangingpictures in places where they are subject to strong draft or winddisturbances, or any stage scenery where it is essential that thepicture be quickly adjusted to true position after the moving of thescenery into position on the stage.

Briefly, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing anovel suspension device for an ordinary picture wire which is designedto remain where positioned on said wire, and by mounting a novelpositioning member on the lower portion of the frame where it willengage a nail properly positioned in the wall.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a picture mounted on a wall, the various elements of theinvention being shown in position in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the back of a picture frame showing therelative positions of the various elements of the invention.

Fig, 3 shows a'section of the wall taken through the center line of thepicture mounted thereon.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the lower positioning element of thepicture frame showing its relation to the frame and the wall when infinal position.

Fig. 5 illustrates a method of locating the position of a pin adapted toengage the lower positioning element of the frame.

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the picture string or wire passesthrough the upper suspension device.

Referring to Fig. 2 the picture frame 8 is shown in upright positionwith screw-eyes 9 positioned in the'usual fashion on the side members ofthe frame. A cord or wire H] is fastened at each end on the screw-eyes9. A triangularly shaped suspension member or bail l l is provided witha central opening which has a notch at l2 to receive 5 a nail or hookwhich is embedded in the Wall. This notch l2 lies on the perpendicularbisecting line of the base of the triangle. The picture wire it ispassed through holes l3 in the suspension member in a manner bestillustrated in Fig. 6. 10 These holes it are located on the base of thetriangle. It will be seenthat the wire it] is turned as it passesthrough the securing plate II at the points it so that when the member His once positioned on the wire and the Wire is subjected to tension dueto the weight of the picture there will be a binding effect between thewire and the member H which will prevent the member II from slippingfrom its original centered position on the wire.

The centering means for the lower portion of the picture consists of arectangular metal plate 15 positioned along the lower edge of thepicture frame 8 by any convenient fastening means, as for example, thenails Hi. The contour of this metal plate is as shown in Fig. 4, itbeing provided with cam surfaces IT on each side of an embossed orgrooved portion 18. The cam surfaces I? are formed to slope inwardlyfrom the points Ila on the plate I5 to the groove portion I8. The plateI5 is to be exactly centered on the frame 8 so that the groove portionIt falls on the vertical center line of the picture.

' In hanging a picture with the device above described, the positioningplate I5 is tacked on to the frame in the manner designated. Thevsuspension member I I is positioned on the wire I0 so that the notch l2falls exactly on the center line of the picture. A pin or nail I9 isthen driven into the wall at the point where the picture is 40 to behung. A pin 2!] is next driven into the wall directly beneath thesuspending pin l9 and at such a distance therefrom that the positioningplate IE on the picture frame will register with the pin 20. The properlocation for the pin 20 can best be found by suspending a weight 2| fromthe top pin l9 as shown in Fig. 5. A point may then bemarked on the wallwhich will register substantially with the positioning plate on thelower portion of the frame- When thepicture is hung by means of thesuspension member II on the pin. IS the groove [8 of the plate l5 willengage the head of the pin 20 and the picture will then be exactlycentered both at the top and bottom borders of the frame. The camsurfaces I1, due to the angle at which they are formed, serve to contactthe pin 20 and guide the pin into the groove l8. The plate [5 willcontact the wall at the points Ila and serve to space the lower portionof the frame from the wall thereby lessening the amount of dust thatnormally collects behind pictures. The Weight of the picture, whether itbe small or large, is sufficient to maintain the groove l8 of the plateI 5 in contact with the pin 20. It will be seen that the picture can besubjected to dusting or cleaning without disturbing its true position onthe wall, and that any slight disturbances of the picture due to wind ordusting will be automatically corrected" by reason of the sloping camsurfaces l1. Furthermore, if it is desired to temporarily remove thepicture from its position on the wall, it may easily be replaced in trueposition simply by hanging the member H on the top pin I9 and moving thegroove l8 into engagement with the pin 20. The

frictional engagement of the wire II] with the member II will prevent itshifting from its centered position unless it is intentionally shifted.

What I claim is:

For use with a picture frame supported at the top by a suspending cordat each side of said frame and a bail frictionally engaging said cord, acentering device fastened at the lower portion of the picture comprisinga sheet metal plate shaped to form a recess which is adapted to engage apin extending from the wall upon which the picture is hung, spacedprojections on said plate adapted to contact the wall on either side ofsaid pin, said recess being positioned on the vertical center line ofthe picture, and cam surfaceson saidplate sloping inwardly toward saidrecess from said spaced projections to automatically guide said pin tosaid recess.

EDWARD N. KELLOGG.

